Blank billboards abound

A sure sign of election day is the blank billboards dotted throughout the Cayman Islands.

A day ago, the serious or smiling faces of Cayman’s 56 incumbent and budding politicians stared out from hundreds of posters of all sizes in front yards, roadsides, walls and electricity poles, but now the billboards are empty and the smaller posters and signs have been removed.

Under the Elections Law, all banners, posters and advertising materials were required to be removed by midnight on Tuesday, 21 May.

And it’s not just posters and banners – t-shirts and any other clothing showing the image of any candidate or with any printed statement supporting any candidate or political party are not allowed within any polling precinct throughout election day.

Contravening the advertising ban on election day carries a penalty of a maximum $500 fine and six months imprisonment upon conviction.

Until last night, this sign in West Bay held the image of candidates vying for office. – PHOTO: NORMA CONNOLLY

All posters and banners had to be removed by midnight on Tuesday. – PHOTO: NORMA CONNOLLY